Multicoaxial

[zorba]

Hi everyone, I have been trying to built a heavy multirotor platform.
I found a sample on the net and I thought I would give it a try.
So far is going well with alot of trial and error work.

Is getting down to the final stages now and with spring around the corner I just can't wait to finish it.

I wanted something to be able to lift a heavy payload.
This design seems to be able to do the job. The camera is incased in the frame so is less danage to occur in case of a CR**h. She is heavy but very strong. Made from G10-fr4 3mm thick and 12mm aluminum tubing.

I can use the MK PDR with the BL controllers or the I2c converter with the 60A Plush ESC's.
I will still be using the FC V2.1 from MK.
I don't know which would be more reliable without errors. The only difference is that the I2c converter way is a bit more heavier.

Anyway thanks for having me here.
If you have any input or suggestions please feel free to let me know.
You can see the progress pics here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/variofreak64/CoaxialMulticopter?authkey=Gv1sRgCLafo7Lmv8yBiQE#

Bill

PS the photos of the actual craft flying are not mine they belong to a fella named Alex which is the originator of the project..

 

[Bartman]

zorba,
are you saying you might use the MK power distribution board without the I2C protection? i wouldn't do that, there's a link somewhere to the I2C isolator board and I got an email a couple of weeks ago that they're back in stock.
i'm not as well versed as other around here and elsewhere but that my two cents.
cool coax okto. post vids when it flies.
bart

 

[zorba]

No Bart I'll be using the FC V2.1 and also a I2c to PWM converter, No distibution ring no BL's.
I got mine from FlashRc 48 Euros, made for 6 and 8 channels.
http://www.flashrc.com/flyboard/6648-convertisseur_i2c_>_pwm_4_6_8_voies_v15.html


Bill

 

[zorba]

I use the isolator board from Rusty on my Octo and my new Hexa. But I don't need it on the Coax

 

[zorba]

Oktokoax

Hi, I got my gearbox today and finally I installed the cam mount and the ESC's.
She is heavy I have to take my scale to work and see what she weighs.
Also took some pics
Enjoy.
Cheers
Bill

 

[FlyEYE]

Zorba, I'll looking forward to you getting this in the air. Nice design. Quite curious what she weighs. Have you flown with the I2C converters before?

 

[Cabe]

You know what that frame reminds me of?

Very cool.

 

[CopterCam]

Zorba,

Very impressive..........an innovative and robust looking design. Please post flight videos, will be interesting to see how it handles and stable it is in strong wind ?

Sid

 

[zorba]

Zorba, I'll looking forward to you getting this in the air. Nice design. Quite curious what she weighs. Have you flown with the I2C converters before?

No I haven't flown with the converter (Flyboard) before. Others have with good results. I can go both ways FlyEYE.
One, is with the ESC's and the Flyboard or use the PDR with the V2 BL's.
As far as how much she weighs well? she is heavy.
With the ESC's and with the JVC camcorder she weighs in at 4840gr. without the ESC's and the camcorder 4145gr.
With the Sony NEX5, ESC's, and props without battery 4415gr.

So I think for testing and maiden I will go withe the BL's and PDR.
If she can handle the weight I will switch to the ESC's and Flyboard.

I like to go with the ESC's for security reasons and I din't have to worry about I2c errors.
On the other hand I like the BL's cause she is not as heavy.
Time and testing will tell.
Cheers

 

[zorba]

You know what that frame reminds me of?

Very cool.

Very cool indeed. You just gave me an idea Cabe. Looking at those jaws, what would be an awesome name for my machine? I ahve to give it a name..

Bill

 

[zorba]

need some help here...please

Trying to figure out how this thing works.
Ken need your help on this one the Flyboard.
From what I can see on the diagrams if I power from the FC #one ESC has the red wire removed but the re ESC's have the red wire connected.
If I power fron the ESC the # 1 esc has the red wire connected also the rest of the ESC's.
is this correct or I might blow up something?

I attached the two diagrams to see what I mean.

Thanks

 

[Crash]

Very cool indeed. You just gave me an idea Cabe. Looking at those jaws, what would be an awesome name for my machine? I ahve to give it a name..

Bill

Gator?

It does look heavy. Do you really need it to support your weight? Or lift a cam?

 

[zorba]

Gator it is....I am hopping to lift me. LOL
No not really just wanted to see if it could so when it hits the ground nothing would happen to it, except the arms..

To lift a cam of course. The camcorder weighs in at 600gr. The mount also 600gr. that's why I got the one from Avertical, should be here soon. I will testfly it without the cam and mount just to get her setup.
here are sme more pics.
Cheers

 

[zorba]

Thanks to all of you she is up and running, running I said not flying.
I hooked up everything except the rx and fire it up. Is sooooo nice not to see any "BL-ctrl missing or I2c error"

That's the way to go if you are going to go big and heavy.
All the esc's running according to the setup, the flyboard responds and the FC green and red ( rx missing).

Took a little vid and I will post when I get home. I also took vibration meassurements with my I-phone and I will post those also. I am so happy that I don't have to deal with errors again.

Thanks to you all for helping me out.
I'm not done yet so I will have more questions i'm sure


Bill

 

[Droider]

Bill.. well done.. Bet that all a releif

Be interested to know what iPhone app are you using for vibration readings

Dave

 

[zorba]

here are couple of screen shots
and a short video
I forgot the name on my phone is called Vibration.
The fist photo is with one motor running and the second with all 8 motors running. I don't knoe how to read the results.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtb8VjaY6bM

 

[zorba]

Had it setup today with the kopter tool.
But I have a bit of a concern.
When I go throtle down and right to start the motors the motors wont start. I have to give a bit of gas to about a 1/4 then they start.
When I bring throtle down the motors stop. All K values are set to +125 and -125.
I think it has something to do with the ESC's I might have to re-calibrate them.
Any ideas?

Thanks
Bill

 

[Droider]

There is a min motor value somewhere in the MK tool. Not at home so cant have a butchers but I am sure some one will chirp in

 

[zorba]

Thanks Dave I already got an answer .
Another question. My 60A plush ESC's I thick they are drawing too much juice. I tried to get some 30A but they are BK.
What is the alternative esc to Plush?
Apperantly the PWM converter requires that esc's are 400hz

any ideas?
Thanks
I did a bench test today at work and the bat got a bit worm, the motors and esc's are fine just the bat.

 

[zorba]

I did some more test just to be sure.
According to the MK tools it draws 23w and 2.1apms
I think my battery was low to begin with. I will recharge them tonite and do some more testing tomorrow.
Here is a couple of sceen shots,
1, sitting idle
2, running with the gas in neutral(hover) position.

what do you think?

Thanks
Bill
Here's the test video not much but I like to know what the chirping is. The beeps are the timer on my Tx.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCCXKy3rfMw&feature=youtube_gdata